Volvo reveals new 40 series concepts

Volvo concept cars preview new S40 saloon and XC40 crossover SUV.

The first look at its new range of smaller cars comes as the Swedish brand moves in a new direction, and marks the official launch of its global small car strategy. The newly-revealed 40 series concepts demonstrate Volvo’s plans to expand into the global market for ‘premium small cars’, combining bold exterior and interior design with ‘industry-leading’ connectivity, electrification and autonomous drive technologies.

The concept cars will be the first built around Volvo’s new Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which has been specially created for smaller cars.

“Each member of our product family has its own distinct character, just like the members of a real family. CMA has helped us to capture something special, something youthful in our new concept cars. They have an energy, a disruptive and engaging urban character that makes them stand out amongst the crowd. This is the flavour of small Volvos to come,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design, at Volvo Car Group.

Volvo’s small car strategy is part of the Swedish company’s revitalisation plan that aims to help the brand compete with its global premium competitors within the next four years. The new global small car range will include a pure battery electric vehicle as well as Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain variants, in line with the company’s commitment to the electrification of its entire portfolio - planning to have up to 1 million electrified cars by 2025 globally.

“By taking a modular approach to both vehicle architecture and powertrain development we have succeeded in leap-frogging many of the players in the premium segment,” said Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research & Development. “Our new battery electric powertrain variant opens yet another exciting chapter in the unfolding Volvo story.”

The new cars will also feature a full range of ‘innovative connectivity services’, plus what Volvo describes as the world’s most advanced standard package of safety features and ‘ground breaking Scandinavian interior design’.